Here's What People Are Talking About

In their season finale, Ben talks to Jon about the person who gave him his first break as a comedy writer: Jay Leno. Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and a professor at Emerson College. Ben Zieper is an Esports podcaster and Jon's former student. Once a week, they pick a topic from Jon's time working in comedy and...Talk About it.

This week, Jon and Ben throw it back to their very first episode, and how Jon got hired to write for "Late Night" in 2009. Dedicated to our friend and frequent podcast character, Wayne Federman - who's still alive! - and whose book, "The History of Standup" is out now. You'll love it, you'll love it!

Jon shares his favorite joke from each writer during his time at "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," then analyzes them with Ben. Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and a professor at Emerson College in Boston. Ben is an Esports podcaster in LA and Jon's former student. Each week, they pick a topic from Jon's time in late night, comedy and television and...Talk About it.  

It's WrestleMania Week, pal(s)! And neither Earthquake nor Typhoon (Jon wrote that) can keep Ben from Zooming in from his LA bunker to Talk About WWE's many appearances on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show." Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," a former WWE writer, and a professor at Emerson College. Ben is a rising Esports podcaster and Jon's former student. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time in TV and Talk About it.

We drop a lot of names - but who are these people?? Jon tells Ben about various writers and producers he last worked with at "The Tonight Show." (Listener Request) Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and a professor at Emerson College. Ben Zieper is a Los Angeles-based podcaster and Jon's former student. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time in TV and comedy and Talk About it.

With clubs getting back in business, Ben asks Jon about trying out and performing at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. Also: Jon does a terrible Tracy Morgan impression, but makes up for it with a good Chuck Todd joke. Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York and Los Angeles. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time in standup, television or late night and...Talk About it.

From "Fresh Prince" cameos to a Don Rickles misfire, Jon and Ben discuss The Roots and their role as the house band on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show." Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time in standup, television or late night and...Talk About it. Rate, Review, Subscribe!

What's with all this packet racket? And what should you keep in mind when submitting a monologue sample? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and Jon's former student. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time working in comedy, television or late night and...Talk About it.

The mono was better, the ratings were better, and Jimmy was thrilled with Jon's work. So what happened? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and Jon's former student. Each week, they choose a topic from Jon's time working in comedy, television or late night and...Talk About it.  

Did things get better or worse during Jon's year as a substitute Head Writer at "The Tonight Show"? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and one of Jon's former students. Each week, they discuss a topic about Jon's time working in comedy, television or late night and...Talk About it.

On the seventh anniversary, Ben and Jon discuss the debut and events leading up to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and one of Jon's former students. Each week, they discuss a topic from Jon's time working in late night and...Talk About it.

What brought the coolest host in late night and his lamest writer together? The Beach Boys, of course. Here's the story (and backstory) of the band's 2012 appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." (And the time Jon got drunk with Jimmy.) Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and a former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and one of Jon's former students. Each week, they pick a topic from Jon's time working in late night and talk about it.

Ben asks Jon: who's responsible for the infamous Trump hair tussle? (And the show booked WHO to do standup??)

Writer Jon Rineman discusses his time working in late night with his former student, Ben Zieper. Jon Rineman was Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," is co-creator of the adult party card game Anti-Social Skills, and a professor at Emerson College. Ben Zieper is a New York City-based podcaster who also produces and hosts the podcasts "When You Were My Age" and "Ben-Mitzvah."

In their debut episode, Ben asks Jon: how did the least-cool person in New Hampshire get hired to write for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College, co-creator of the adult party card game "Anti-Social Skills" and former Head Monologue Writer for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Ben Zieper is a rising podcaster in New York City and Jon's former student. He also hosts and produces the podcasts "When You Were My Age" and "Ben-Mitzvah," in which he interviews people far more famous than Jon. Each week, Jon and Ben discuss a specific topic from Jon's time as a writer for "The Tonight Show," "Late Night," Seth Meyers, Jay Leno and WWE; as a professor and student at Emerson; and as a comic at clubs such as The Comedy Studio and Comedy Cellar.